An unidentified man, 39, was killed by a shark in Maui, Hawaii while surfing in Paia Bay.
Officials said they arrived at the scene of the accident around 11:19 a.m. Saturday, where marine safety officers had already transported the injured victim to shore on a jet ski.
“On shore, first responders performed life-saving measures until paramedics arrived to transport the man to Maui Memorial Medical Center for further treatment,” Maui police said in a statement.
The man then died from his injuries in hospital at around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The man's identity was not immediately released pending notification of extended family and friends.
The 39-year-old was surfing in the water at the time of the incident and was brought to shore by jet ski for medical treatment
The fatal shark attack occurred around 11:19 a.m. Saturday in Paia Bay on Maui, Hawaii
He was originally from Haiku, a small community on the north side of Maui.
Following the fatal incident, shark warning signs were posted from Baby Beach to Tavares Bayalong – a mile from either side of the accident scene.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) reported that the surfer was in the water in “mixed” water conditions due to high surf.
District officials said Baldwin Beach Park and Baby Beach were closed Saturday following the incident.
“If no further signs of shark activity are detected by midday Sunday, the signs will be removed,” DNLR said in a Facebook post.
Maui police reported that first responders were patrolling the area on land and on jet skis.
According to the DNLR's shark incident database, this is the eighth shark attack this year. It is also the only one this year that ended in a fatality.
Four of the attacks were caused by tiger sharks, which can grow up to 10-14 feet long.
The other attacks involved a Galapagos shark and a cookie cutter, and one attack was caused by two blacktip reef sharks.
Following the fatal incident, shark warning signs were posted along Baby Beach up to Tavares Bayalong – a mile from either side of the accident scene
Maui police reported that first responders were patrolling the area on land and on jet skis
It is unclear exactly what species of shark or how many sharks were involved in this attack.
contacted Maui Police for more information but did not receive a response in time for this report.
There are around 40 different species of sharks that live in Hawaiian waters and can range in size from 2.5 to 15 meters.
“Most commonly encountered are whitetip reefs, sandbars, scalloped hammerheads and occasionally tigers,” the DNLR website says.
There were no early signs of foul play. The investigation is ongoing and an autopsy is planned, police said.
Another fatal encounter with a shark occurred in Mexico on December 2, when a mother was killed after her leg was torn off in a desperate attempt to save her five-year-old daughter.
A graphic video appears to show the aftermath of the attack as the victim lay on the sand after being helped out of the water off Melaque Beach in Jalisco state.
Horrified onlookers shouted “she's lost her leg” as they waited for emergency teams to arrive in the morning.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) reported that the surfer was in the water in “mixed” water conditions due to high surf
The dead woman was identified locally as a 26-year-old tourist named Maria Fernandez Martinez Jimenez, a former marine biology student at the University of Guadalajara
Despite rescuers' quick response, the woman was identified at the scene as a 26-year-old tourist and former marine biology student named Maria Fernandez Martinez Jimenez. She died from blood loss due to a massive bite wound.
The attack on Saturday morning is believed to have occurred during a swimming competition, which was then canceled.
Local authorities yesterday warned residents and visitors to stay away from the water following the tragedy.
Well-wishers later left flowers at a makeshift altar erected on the beach at the spot where the woman died.